Correction to: Early Stepdown From Echinocandin to Fluconazole Treatment in Candidemia: A Post Hoc Analysis of Three Cohort Studies.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofab250.].

Early Stepdown From Echinocandin to Fluconazole Treatment in Candidemia: A Post Hoc Analysis of Three Cohort Studies.

BACKGROUND: There are no clear criteria for antifungal de-escalation after initial empirical treatments. We hypothesized that early de-escalation (ED) (within 5 days) to fluconazole is safe in fluconazole-susceptible candidemia with controlled source of infection. METHODS: This is a multicenter post hoc study that included consecutive patients from 3 prospective candidemia cohorts (2007-2016). The impact of ED and factors associated with mortality were assessed. RESULTS: Of 1023 candidemia episodes, 235 met inclusion criteria. Of these, 54 (23%) were classified as the ED group and 181 (77%) were classified as the non-ED group. ED was more common in catheter-related candidemia (51.9% vs 31.5%; P = .006) and episodes caused by Candida parapsilosis, yet it was less frequent in patients in the intensive care unit (24.1% vs 39.2%; P = .043), infections caused by Nakaseomyces glabrata (0% vs 9.9%; P = .016), and candidemia from an unknown source (24.1% vs 47%; P = .003). In the ED and non-ED groups, 30-day mortality was 11.1% and 29.8% (P = .006), respectively. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (odds ratio [OR], 3.97; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.48-10.61), Pitt score > 2 (OR, 4.39; 95% CI, 1.94-9.20), unknown source of candidemia (OR, 2.59; 95% CI, 1.14-5.86), candidemia caused by Candida albicans (OR, 3.92; 95% CI, 1.48-10.61), and prior surgery (OR, 0.29; 95% CI, 0.08-0.97) were independent predictors of mortality. Similar results were found when a propensity score for receiving ED was incorporated into the model. ED had no significant impact on mortality (OR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.16-1.53). CONCLUSIONS: Early de-escalation is a safe strategy in patients with candidemia caused by fluconazole-susceptible strains with controlled source of bloodstream infection and hemodynamic stability. These results are important to apply antifungal stewardship strategies.

Vibrational Circular Dichroism study of chiral food additives: γ-valero- and γ-caprolactone.

γ-valerolactone and γ-caprolactone are commonly used as flavor additives in the food industry. In the present work we fully explore the molecular structure and conformational distribution of enantiopure γ-valerolactone and γ-caprolactone in solution state by using Vibrational Circular Dichroism (VCD) spectroscopy assisted by quantum chemical calculations. In order to establish the most accurate DFT method for this type of samples a set of methods and basis sets have been implemented and their performances have been compared. Subsequently, we have performed a complete vibrational assignment, which allowed to detect certain key vibrational features related to specific solution-state conformational speciation. In spite of the rigidity of the samples being studied, our results point to the incidence of conformational mixture in CCl4 solution in both samples.

Healthcare-associated pneumonia: a prospective study in Spain.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to describe the epidemiological characteristics and factors related to outcome in Streptococcus pneumoniae and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP). METHODS: A 3-year prospective observational epidemiological case study of HCAP was conducted in seven Spanish hospitals. Microbiological and patient characteristics and outcomes were collected and classified by causative pathogen into 4 categories: "S. pneumoniae", "MRSA", "Others" and "Unknown". Patients were followed up 30 days after discharge. RESULTS: A total of 258 (84.6%) patients were enrolled (170 were men [65.9%]). Mean age was 72.4 years ± 15 years (95% CI [70.54-74.25]). The etiology of pneumonia was identified in 73 cases (28.3%): S. pneumoniae in 35 patients (13.6%), MRSA in 8 (3.1%), and other microorganisms in 30 patients (11.6%). Significant differences in rates of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p < 0.05), previous antibiotic treatment (p<0.05), other chronic respiratory diseases, inhaled corticosteroids (p <0.01), and lymphoma (p < 0.05) were observed among the four groups. Patients with MRSA pneumonia had received more previous antibiotic treatment (87.5%). Thirty-three (12.8%) patients died during hospitalisation; death in 27 (81.2%) was related to pneumonia. CONCLUSIONS: The etiology of HCAP was identified in only one quarter of patients, with S. pneumoniae being the most prevalent microorganism. Patients with chronic respiratory diseases more frequently presented HCAP due to MRSA than to S. pneumoniae. Death at hospital discharge was related in most cases to pneumonia.

Clinical Predictive Model of Multidrug Resistance in Neutropenic Cancer Patients with Bloodstream Infection Due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

We aimed to assess the rate and predictive factors of bloodstream infection (BSI) due to multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa in neutropenic cancer patients. We performed a multicenter, retrospective cohort study including oncohematological neutropenic patients with BSI due to P. aeruginosa conducted across 34 centers in 12 countries from January 2006 to May 2018. A mixed logistic regression model was used to estimate a model to predict the multidrug resistance of the causative pathogens. Of a total of 1,217 episodes of BSI due to P. aeruginosa, 309 episodes (25.4%) were caused by MDR strains. The rate of multidrug resistance increased significantly over the study period (P = 0.033). Predictors of MDR P. aeruginosa BSI were prior therapy with piperacillin-tazobactam (odds ratio [OR], 3.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.29 to 5.30), prior antipseudomonal carbapenem use (OR, 2.53; 95% CI, 1.65 to 3.87), fluoroquinolone prophylaxis (OR, 2.99; 95% CI, 1.92 to 4.64), underlying hematological disease (OR, 2.09; 95% CI, 1.26 to 3.44), and the presence of a urinary catheter (OR, 2.54; 95% CI, 1.65 to 3.91), whereas older age (OR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.97 to 0.99) was found to be protective. Our prediction model achieves good discrimination and calibration, thereby identifying neutropenic patients at higher risk of BSI due to MDR P. aeruginosa The application of this model using a web-based calculator may be a simple strategy to identify high-risk patients who may benefit from the early administration of broad-spectrum antibiotic coverage against MDR strains according to the local susceptibility patterns, thus avoiding the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics in patients at a low risk of resistance development.

¿Qué saben nuestros niños de la escuela primaria sobre acoso escolar? / What do our elementary school children know about bullying?

Introducción: el acoso escolar es un problema actual que está cobrando gran importancia debido al aumento de la prevalencia que está experimentado y a las repercusiones que tiene sobre los niños que lo sufren (problemas de salud, problemas escolares o problemas psicosociales). Objetivos: analizar y conocer las distintas características de las víctimas y acosadores, conocer sus problemas de salud, identificar las características del ciberbullying y analizar la eficacia de intervenciones con los alumnos para prevenir el acoso. Material y métodos: la muestra está formada por 65 alumnos (el 59,4% eran niñas, el 21,9% víctimas y el 17,2% acosadores), que respondieron una encuesta validada sobre el acoso escolar. El diseño es pretest/postest, con fase de intervención y se constituyen grupo intervenido y no intervenido. Resultados: existen diferencias entre víctimas y no víctimas en problemas relacionados con los estudios, ubicación del ordenador en el domicilio habitual del niño y también en la emoción de sentirse triste. Observamos que el 12,5% de los alumnos encuestados refieren haber presenciado ciberbullying en los últimos dos meses. Hay diferencias entre pretest y postest en distintas variables (ignorarle, hablar mal de él, pegarle, esconderle cosas). Por último, se encuentran diferencias significativas entre grupo intervenido y no intervenido en robar cosas. Conclusiones: como conclusión, los resultados obtenidos corroboran la alta importancia en la detección precoz del acoso escolar y la necesidad de instaurar intervenciones para disminuir su prevalencia

Background: bullying is an emergent problem that is growing in importance on account of its increasing prevalence and its impact on the children that experience it (health, academic or psychosocial problems). Objectives: to analyse and determine the different characteristics of victims and bullies, explore their health problems, identify the characteristics of cyberbullying and assess the effectiveness of interventions targeting students for the prevention of bullying. Materials and methods: the sample included 65 students (59.4% female, 21.9% victims and 17.2% bullies), that completed a validated questionnaire about school bullying. We used a pre-test, post-intervention study and established intervention and control groups. Results: we found differences between victims and non-victims in academic problems, the location of the computer in the habitual residence of the child and in feelings of sadness. We found that 12.5% of surveyed students reported having witnessed cyberbullying in the past 2 months. We found differences between the pre-test and post-test periods in several variables (ignoring, badmouthing, hitting, hiding belongings). Lastly, we found significant differences between the intervention and the control groups in the stealing of belongings. Conclusions: in conclusion, our findings corroborated the importance of the early detection of school bullying and the need to implement interventions to decrease its prevalence

Regular monitoring of cytomegalovirus-specific cell-mediated immunity in intermediate-risk kidney transplant recipients: predictive value of the immediate post-transplant assessment.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies on monitoring of post-transplant cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific cell-mediated immunity (CMI) are limited by single-centre designs and disparate risk categories. We aimed to assess the clinical value of a regular monitoring strategy in a large multicentre cohort of intermediate-risk kidney transplant (KT) recipients. METHODS: We recruited 124 CMV-seropositive KT recipients with no T-cell-depleting induction pre-emptively managed at four Spanish institutions. CMV-specific interferon-γ-producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were counted through the first post-transplant year by intracellular cytokine staining after stimulation with pp65 and immediate early-1 peptides (mean of six measurements per patient). The primary outcome was the occurrence of any CMV event (asymptomatic infection and/or disease). Optimal cut-off values for CMV-specific T cells were calculated at baseline and day 15. RESULTS: Twelve-month cumulative incidence of CMV infection and/or disease was 47.6%. Patients with pre-transplant CMV-specific CD8+ T-cell count <1.0 cells/µL had greater risk of CMV events (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 2.84; p 0.054). When the CMI assessment was performed in the immediate post-transplant period (day 15), the presence of <2.0 CD8+ T cells/µL (aHR 2.18; p 0.034) or <1.0 CD4+ T cells/µL (aHR 2.43; p 0.016) also predicted the subsequent development of a CMV event. In addition, lower counts of CMV-specific CD4+ (but not CD8+) T cells at days 60 and 180 were associated with a higher incidence of late-onset events. CONCLUSIONS: Monitoring for CMV-specific CMI in intermediate-risk KT recipients must be regular to reflect dynamic changes in overall immunosuppression and individual susceptibility. The early assessment at post-transplant day 15 remains particularly informative.

Deshidratación hipernatrémica grave neonatal por fallo en la instauración de la lactancia materna: estudio de incidencia y factores asociados / Severe neonatal hypernatremic dehydratation in the initiation of the breastfeeding: study of incidence and associated factors

Introducción: la deshidratación hipernatrémica neonatal asociada al fallo en la instauración de la lactancia materna puede provocar importantes complicaciones e incluso la muerte. Existen pocos datos acerca de su magnitud en nuestro medio. Objetivos: conocer la incidencia y describir las características clínico-epidemiológicas asociadas. Material y métodos: estudio observacional retrospectivo en recién nacidos con diagnóstico de deshidratación hipernatrémica con Na>150 mEq/l que necesitaron ingreso hospitalario entre 2011 y 2017 en nuestra área sanitaria. Se excluyeron casos con patología de base o infección concomitante. Se recogieron datos demográficos, clínicos, analíticos, terapéuticos y evolutivos mediante revisión de historias clínicas y se realizó análisis estadístico posterior. Resultados: la población susceptible estimada fue de 41 084 recién nacidos. Cumplieron criterios 20 casos. Alimentación con lactancia materna exclusiva 19/20, primer hijo en 14/20 familias, con mediana de edad materna 34 años (rango intercuartílico: 31-37). Los motivos de consulta más frecuentes fueron pérdida de peso, ictericia e irritabilidad. La mediana de edad al ingreso fue de 5,5 días (rango intercuartílico: 3,3-9,8), con porcentaje de peso perdido 14,4% (rango intercuartílico: 10-17) y natremia mediana 157,25 mEq/L (rango intercuartílico: 152-157,8). La estancia media fue de 6,5 días (rango intercuartílico: 4-8,75), 2/20 precisaron cuidados intensivos. No registramos fallecimientos o complicaciones graves. Conclusiones: la incidencia global de la deshidratación hipernatrémica fue de 0,5 por cada 1000 recién nacidos/año en la población estudiada. Se relacionó con lactancia materna exclusiva, primiparidad y mayor edad materna. Con estos resultados, parece una medida oportuna informar sobre signos de alarma al alta de maternidad, así como realizar la primera revisión del bebé de forma precoz

Introduction: neonatal hypernatremic dehydration associated with failure in the establishment of breastfeeding instauration can cause significant complications and even death. There are few studies on its incidence in Spain. Objectives: our aim was to determine the incidence of this problem and describe the epidemiological and clinical features associated with it. Materials and methods: we conducted a retrospective observational study in newborns with a diagnosis of hypernatremic dehydration and serum sodium levels of more than 150 mEq/l that required hospitalization between 2011 and 2017 in our catchment area. We excluded patients with underlying conditions or concomitant infection. We collected data on epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, treatment and outcome variables through the review of health records, followed by their statistical analysis. Results: the estimated size of the susceptible population was 41 084 newborns. Twenty met the inclusion criteria. In this sample, 19/20 newborns were exclusively breastfed, 14/20 were the first-born child, and the median maternal age was 34 years (interquartile range: 31-37). The most frequent reasons for seeking care were weight loss, jaundice and irritability. The median age at admission was 5.5 days (interquartile range: 3.3-9.8), the percentage of birth weight lost was 14.4% (interquartile range: 10-17), and the median serum sodium level was 157.25 mEq/l (interquartile range: 152-157.8). The mean length of stay was 6.5 days (interquartile range: 4-8.75), and 2/20 newborns required intensive care. None of the patients died or had severe complications. Conclusions: we found an overall incidence of hypernatremic dehydration of 0.5 per 1000 live births per year in the population under study. We found an association with exclusive breastfeeding, primiparity and greater maternal age. In light of these results, it seems advisable to provide information on the warning signs at the time of discharge from the maternity ward, and to schedule the first checkup for the baby at an earlier time

Antibiotic selection in the treatment of acute invasive infections by Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Guidelines by the Spanish Society of Chemotherapy.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is characterized by a notable intrinsic resistance to antibiotics, mainly mediated by the expression of inducible chromosomic ß-lactamases and the production of constitutive or inducible efflux pumps. Apart from this intrinsic resistance, P. aeruginosa possess an extraordinary ability to develop resistance to nearly all available antimicrobials through selection of mutations. The progressive increase in resistance rates in P. aeruginosa has led to the emergence of strains which, based on their degree of resistance to common antibiotics, have been defined as multidrug resistant, extended-resistant and panresistant strains. These strains are increasingly disseminated worldwide, progressively complicating the treatment of P. aeruginosa infections. In this scenario, the objective of the present guidelines was to review and update published evidence for the treatment of patients with acute, invasive and severe infections caused by P. aeruginosa. To this end, mechanisms of intrinsic resistance, factors favoring development of resistance during antibiotic exposure, prevalence of resistance in Spain, classical and recently appeared new antibiotics active against P. aeruginosa, pharmacodynamic principles predicting efficacy, clinical experience with monotherapy and combination therapy, and principles for antibiotic treatment were reviewed to elaborate recommendations by the panel of experts for empirical and directed treatment of P. aeruginosa invasive infections.

Multinational case-control study of risk factors for the development of late invasive pulmonary aspergillosis following kidney transplantation.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the risk factors for development of late-onset invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) after kidney transplantation (KT). METHODS: We performed a multinational case-control study that retrospectively recruited 112 KT recipients diagnosed with IPA between 2000 and 2013. Controls were matched (1:1 ratio) by centre and date of transplantation. Immunosuppression-related events (IREs) included the occurrence of non-ventilator-associated pneumonia, tuberculosis, cytomegalovirus disease, and/or de novo malignancy. RESULTS: We identified 61 cases of late (>180 days after transplantation) IPA from 24 participating centres (accounting for 54.5% (61/112) of all cases included in the overall study). Most diagnoses (54.1% (33/61)) were established within the first 36 post-transplant months, although five cases occurred more than 10 years after transplantation. Overall mortality among cases was 47.5% (29/61). Compared with controls, cases were significantly older (p 0.010) and more likely to have pre-transplant chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (p 0.001) and a diagnosis of bloodstream infection (p 0.016) and IRE (p <0.001) within the 6 months prior to the onset of late IPA. After multivariate adjustment, previous occurrence of IRE (OR 19.26; 95% CI 2.07-179.46; p 0.009) was identified as an independent risk factor for late IPA. CONCLUSION: More than half of IPA cases after KT occur beyond the sixth month, with some of them presenting very late. Late IPA entails a poor prognosis. We identified some risk factors that could help the clinician to delimit the subgroup of KT recipients at the highest risk for late IPA.

Management of multidrug resistant Gram-negative bacilli infections in solid organ transplant recipients: SET/GESITRA-SEIMC/REIPI recommendations.

Solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients are especially at risk of developing infections by multidrug resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacilli (GNB), as they are frequently exposed to antibiotics and the healthcare setting, and are regulary subject to invasive procedures. Nevertheless, no recommendations concerning prevention and treatment are available. A panel of experts revised the available evidence; this document summarizes their recommendations: (1) it is important to characterize the isolate's phenotypic and genotypic resistance profile; (2) overall, donor colonization should not constitute a contraindication to transplantation, although active infected kidney and lung grafts should be avoided; (3) recipient colonization is associated with an increased risk of infection, but is not a contraindication to transplantation; (4) different surgical prophylaxis regimens are not recommended for patients colonized with carbapenem-resistant GNB; (5) timely detection of carriers, contact isolation precautions, hand hygiene compliance and antibiotic control policies are important preventive measures; (6) there is not sufficient data to recommend intestinal decolonization; (7) colonized lung transplant recipients could benefit from prophylactic inhaled antibiotics, specially for Pseudomonas aeruginosa; (8) colonized SOT recipients should receive an empirical treatment which includes active antibiotics, and directed therapy should be adjusted according to susceptibility study results and the severity of the infection.

Polineuropatías agudas en un hospital del sur de España: diez años de experiencia / Acute polyneuropathies in a hospital in the south of Spain: ten years’ experience

Introducción. El síndrome de Guillain-Barré es la causa más frecuente de parálisis flácida aguda en niños. Objetivo. Describir características de los pacientes diagnosticados de polineuropatías agudas y su evolución a largo plazo. Pacientes y métodos. Análisis descriptivo retrospectivo de los menores de 14 años ingresados en nuestro hospital entre enero de 2004 y diciembre de 2014. Se recogieron variables clínicas, demográficas, neurofisiológicas y otras pruebas de imagen. Resultados. Veintiséis pacientes, con una mediana de edad de 3,83 años, fueron diagnosticados de polineuropatías agudas, cuatro de ellos de origen marroquí. Veinte (76%) tenían antecedentes de infección previa. El tiempo medio desde el inicio de los síntomas hasta su ingreso fue de 9,2 días y, desde éste hasta el inicio de gammaglobulinas, de 1,6 días. La sintomatología que precedió al diagnóstico fue de carácter muy heterogéneo. Todos presentaron debilidad muscular; el 90%, arreflexia; y el 30%, afectación de los pares craneales. El 100% recibió gammaglobulinas intravenosas, y el 38,4%, corticoides sistémicos. Presentaron cronificación de la patología dos pacientes. No hubo mortalidad en la serie. Conclusiones. Los pacientes incluidos en nuestro estudio presentaron en fases tempranas síntomas muy inespecíficos que llevaron a diagnósticos alternativos iniciales; para evitar este retraso diagnóstico, resulta fundamental realizar una exhaustiva exploración física que incluya los reflejos osteotendinosos y mantener un alto índice de sospecha de la enfermedad aun con normalidad en las pruebas complementarias si éstas son precoces. Detectamos un mayor número de polineuropatía axonal, posiblemente explicado por el elevado número de pacientes atendidos de origen marroquí (AU)

Introduction. Guillain-Barré syndrome is the most frequent cause of acute flaccid paralysis in children. Aim. To describe the characteristics of patients diagnosed with acute polyneuropathies and their long-term progress. Patients and methods. We conducted a retrospective descriptive analysis of children under 14 years of age admitted toour hospital between January 2004 and December 2014. Clinical, demographic and neurophysiological variables were collected together with other imaging tests. Results. Twenty-six patients, with a mean age of 3.83 years, were diagnosed with acute polyneuropathies, four of them of Moroccan origin. Twenty of them (76%) had a history of previous infection. The mean time elapsed since the onset of the symptoms until admission to hospital was 9.2 days, and from admission until beginning with gamma globulins it was 1.6 days. The clinical signs and symptoms prior to diagnosis were of a very heterogeneous nature. They all presented muscular weakness; 90% displayed areflexia; and 30% showed involvement of the cranial nerves. All of them (100%) received intravenous gamma globulins, and 38.4% were given systemic corticosteroids. Two patients presented chronification of the pathology. There was no mortality in the series. Conclusions. The patients included in our study presented very unspecific symptoms in the early phases, which initially led to alternative diagnoses. To avoid this delay in the diagnosis, it is essential to perform an exhaustive physical examination that includes the myotatic reflexes and to maintain a high level of suspicion of the disease even with normal results in the complementary tests if they are performed at an early stage. We detected a greater number of cases of axonal polyneuropathy, which can possibly be explained by the high number of patients of Moroccan origin who were treated (AU)

[Acute polyneuropathies in a hospital in the south of Spain: ten years' experience]. / Polineuropatias agudas en un hospital del sur de España: diez años de experiencia.

INTRODUCTION: Guillain-Barre syndrome is the most frequent cause of acute flaccid paralysis in children. AIM: To describe the characteristics of patients diagnosed with acute polyneuropathies and their long-term progress. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective descriptive analysis of children under 14 years of age admitted to our hospital between January 2004 and December 2014. Clinical, demographic and neurophysiological variables were collected together with other imaging tests. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients, with a mean age of 3.83 years, were diagnosed with acute polyneuropathies, four of them of Moroccan origin. Twenty of them (76%) had a history of previous infection. The mean time elapsed since the onset of the symptoms until admission to hospital was 9.2 days, and from admission until beginning with gamma globulins it was 1.6 days. The clinical signs and symptoms prior to diagnosis were of a very heterogeneous nature. They all presented muscular weakness; 90% displayed areflexia; and 30% showed involvement of the cranial nerves. All of them (100%) received intravenous gamma globulins, and 38.4% were given systemic corticosteroids. Two patients presented chronification of the pathology. There was no mortality in the series. CONCLUSIONS: The patients included in our study presented very unspecific symptoms in the early phases, which initially led to alternative diagnoses. To avoid this delay in the diagnosis, it is essential to perform an exhaustive physical examination that includes the myotatic reflexes and to maintain a high level of suspicion of the disease even with normal results in the complementary tests if they are performed at an early stage. We detected a greater number of cases of axonal polyneuropathy, which can possibly be explained by the high number of patients of Moroccan origin who were treated.

TITLE: Polineuropatias agudas en un hospital del sur de España: diez años de experiencia.Introduccion. El sindrome de Guillain-Barre es la causa mas frecuente de paralisis flacida aguda en niños. Objetivo. Describir caracteristicas de los pacientes diagnosticados de polineuropatias agudas y su evolucion a largo plazo. Pacientes y metodos. Analisis descriptivo retrospectivo de los menores de 14 años ingresados en nuestro hospital entre enero de 2004 y diciembre de 2014. Se recogieron variables clinicas, demograficas, neurofisiologicas y otras pruebas de imagen. Resultados. Veintiseis pacientes, con una mediana de edad de 3,83 años, fueron diagnosticados de polineuropatias agudas, cuatro de ellos de origen marroqui. Veinte (76%) tenian antecedentes de infeccion previa. El tiempo medio desde el inicio de los sintomas hasta su ingreso fue de 9,2 dias y, desde este hasta el inicio de gammaglobulinas, de 1,6 dias. La sintomatologia que precedio al diagnostico fue de caracter muy heterogeneo. Todos presentaron debilidad muscular; el 90%, arreflexia; y el 30%, afectacion de los pares craneales. El 100% recibio gammaglobulinas intravenosas, y el 38,4%, corticoides sistemicos. Presentaron cronificacion de la patologia dos pacientes. No hubo mortalidad en la serie. Conclusiones. Los pacientes incluidos en nuestro estudio presentaron en fases tempranas sintomas muy inespecificos que llevaron a diagnosticos alternativos iniciales; para evitar este retraso diagnostico, resulta fundamental realizar una exhaustiva exploracion fisica que incluya los reflejos osteotendinosos y mantener un alto indice de sospecha de la enfermedad aun con normalidad en las pruebas complementarias si estas son precoces. Detectamos un mayor numero de polineuropatia axonal, posiblemente explicado por el elevado numero de pacientes atendidos de origen marroqui.

Clinical efficacy of ß-lactam/ß-lactamase inhibitor combinations for the treatment of bloodstream infection due to extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in haematological patients with neutropaenia: a study protocol for a retrospective observational study (BICAR).

INTRODUCTION: Bloodstream infection (BSI) due to extended-spectrum ß-lactamase-producing Gram-negative bacilli (ESBL-GNB) is increasing at an alarming pace worldwide. Although ß-lactam/ß-lactamase inhibitor (BLBLI) combinations have been suggested as an alternative to carbapenems for the treatment of BSI due to these resistant organisms in the general population, their usefulness for the treatment of BSI due to ESBL-GNB in haematological patients with neutropaenia is yet to be elucidated. The aim of the BICAR study is to compare the efficacy of BLBLI combinations with that of carbapenems for the treatment of BSI due to an ESBL-GNB in this population. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A multinational, multicentre, observational retrospective study. Episodes of BSI due to ESBL-GNB occurring in haematological patients and haematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients with neutropaenia from 1 January 2006 to 31 March 2015 will be analysed. The primary end point will be case-fatality rate within 30 days of onset of BSI. The secondary end points will be 7-day and 14-day case-fatality rates, microbiological failure, colonisation/infection by resistant bacteria, superinfection, intensive care unit admission and development of adverse events. SAMPLE SIZE: The number of expected episodes of BSI due to ESBL-GNB in the participant centres will be 260 with a ratio of control to experimental participants of 2. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The protocol of the study was approved at the first site by the Research Ethics Committee (REC) of Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge. Approval will be also sought from all relevant RECs. Any formal presentation or publication of data from this study will be considered as a joint publication by the participating investigators and will follow the recommendations of the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE). The study has been endorsed by the European Study Group for Bloodstream Infection and Sepsis (ESGBIS) and the European Study Group for Infections in Compromised Hosts (ESGICH).

2016 Expert consensus document on prevention, diagnosis and treatment of short-term peripheral venous catheter-related infections in adult.

The use of endovascular catheters is a routine practice in secondary and tertiary care level hospitals. Short peripheral catheters have been found to be associated with the risk of nosocomial bacteremia resulting in morbidity and mortality. Staphyloccus aureus is mostly associated with peripheral catheter insertion. This Consensus Document has been elaborated by a panel of experts of the Spanish Society of Cardiovascular Infections in cooperation with experts from the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine, Spanish Society of Chemotherapy and Spanish Society of Thoracic-Cardiovascular Surgery and aims at define and establish the norm for management of short duration peripheral vascular catheters. The document addresses the indications for insertion, catheter maintenance and registry, diagnosis and treatment of infection, indications for removal and stresses on continuous education as a driver for quality. Implementation of this norm will allow uniformity in usage thus minimizing the risk of infection and its complications.

Management of cytomegalovirus infection in solid organ transplant recipients: SET/GESITRA-SEIMC/REIPI recommendations.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection remains a major complication of solid organ transplantation. Because of management of CMV is variable among transplant centers, in 2011 the Spanish Transplantation Infection Study Group (GESITRA) of the Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology (SEIMC) developed consensus guidelines for the prevention and treatment of CMV infection in solid organ transplant recipients. Since then, new publications have clarified or questioned the aspects covered in the previous document. For that reason, a panel of experts revised the evidence on CMV management, including immunological monitoring, diagnostics, prevention, vaccines, indirect effects, treatment, drug resistance, immunotherapy, investigational drugs, and pediatric issues. This document summarizes the recommendations.

Clinical Presentation and Determinants of Mortality of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Multinational Cohort Study.

The prognostic factors and optimal therapy for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) after kidney transplantation (KT) remain poorly studied. We included in this multinational retrospective study 112 recipients diagnosed with probable (75.0% of cases) or proven (25.0%) IPA between 2000 and 2013. The median interval from transplantation to diagnosis was 230 days. Cough, fever, and expectoration were the most common symptoms at presentation. Bilateral pulmonary involvement was observed in 63.6% of cases. Positivity rates for the galactomannan assay in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage samples were 61.3% and 57.1%, respectively. Aspergillus fumigatus was the most commonly identified species. Six- and 12-week survival rates were 68.8% and 60.7%, respectively, and 22.1% of survivors experienced graft loss. Occurrence of IPA within the first 6 months (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.29; p-value = 0.027) and bilateral involvement at diagnosis (HR: 3.00; p-value = 0.017) were independent predictors for 6-week all-cause mortality, whereas the initial use of a voriconazole-based regimen showed a protective effect (HR: 0.34; p-value = 0.007). The administration of antifungal combination therapy had no apparent impact on outcome. In conclusion, IPA entails a dismal prognosis among KT recipients. Maintaining a low clinical suspicion threshold is key to achieve a prompt diagnosis and to initiate voriconazole therapy.

Risk Factors Associated With Early Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Kidney Transplant Recipients: Results From a Multinational Matched Case-Control Study.

Risk factors for invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) after kidney transplantation have been poorly explored. We performed a multinational case-control study that included 51 kidney transplant (KT) recipients diagnosed with early (first 180 posttransplant days) IPA at 19 institutions between 2000 and 2013. Control recipients were matched (1:1 ratio) by center and date of transplantation. Overall mortality among cases was 60.8%, and 25.0% of living recipients experienced graft loss. Pretransplant diagnosis of chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD; odds ratio [OR]: 9.96; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.09-90.58; p = 0.041) and delayed graft function (OR: 3.40; 95% CI: 1.08-10.73; p = 0.037) were identified as independent risk factors for IPA among those variables already available in the immediate peritransplant period. The development of bloodstream infection (OR: 18.76; 95% CI: 1.04-339.37; p = 0.047) and acute graft rejection (OR: 40.73, 95% CI: 3.63-456.98; p = 0.003) within the 3 mo prior to the diagnosis of IPA acted as risk factors during the subsequent period. In conclusion, pretransplant COPD, impaired graft function and the occurrence of serious posttransplant infections may be useful to identify KT recipients at the highest risk of early IPA. Future studies should explore the potential benefit of antimold prophylaxis in this group.

Influenza vaccination during the first 6 months after solid organ transplantation is efficacious and safe.

Preventing influenza infection early after transplantation is essential, given the disease's high mortality. A multicentre prospective cohort study in adult solid organ transplant recipients (SOTR) receiving the influenza vaccine during four consecutive influenza seasons (2009-2013) was performed to assess the immunogenicity and safety of influenza vaccination in SOTR before and 6 months after transplantation. A total of 798 SOTR, 130 of them vaccinated within 6 months of transplantation and 668 of them vaccinated more than 6 months since transplantation. Seroprotection was similar in both groups: 73.1% vs. 76.5% for A/(H1N1)pdm (p 0.49), 67.5% vs. 74.1% for A/H3N2 (p 0.17) and 84.2% vs. 85.2% for influenza B (p 0.80), respectively. Geometric mean titres after vaccination did not differ among groups: 117.32 (95% confidence interval (CI) 81.52, 168.83) vs. 87.43 (95% CI 72.87, 104.91) for A/(H1N1)pdm, 120.45 (95% CI 82.17, 176.57) vs. 97.86 (95% CI 81.34, 117.44) for A/H3N2 and 143.32 (95% CI 103.46, 198.53) vs. 145.54 (95% CI 122.35, 174.24) for influenza B, respectively. After adjusting for confounding factors, time since transplantation was not associated with response to vaccination. No cases of rejection or severe adverse events were detected in patients vaccinated within the first 6 months after transplantation. In conclusion, influenza vaccination within the first 6 months after transplantation is as safe and immunogenic as vaccination thereafter. Thus, administration of the influenza vaccine can be recommended as soon as 1 month after transplantation.

Effect of delaying prophylaxis against CMV in D+/R- solid organ transplant recipients in the development of CMV-specific cellular immunity and occurrence of late CMV disease.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the protective effect against late CMV disease of delaying antiviral prophylaxis initiation in D+/R- patients receiving solid organ transplant (SOT). METHODS: Prospective multicenter study in D+/R- SOT recipients in Spain (Sept/09-Sept/12). Whole blood specimens were prospectively collected after Tx for CMV-specific cell-mediated immunity (CMI) determination. Two prophylaxis strategies were compared: early prophylaxis (EP; starting within the first 3 days after Tx) and delayed prophylaxis (DP; starting 14 days after Tx). Risk factors for the occurrence of CMV disease were determined by survival analysis and proportional risk Cox regression models. RESULTS: We included 95 patients (50 EP V 45 DP). Twenty six patients (27.4%) developed CMV disease: 32.7% EP vs. 20% DP; (p = 0.2). No cases of CMV disease were reported previously to beginning delayed prophylaxis. The percentage of individuals with detectable CMI response was higher in patients with DP although differences did not reach statistic significance (42% vs 29.6% at day 200 after Tx; p = 0.4). There was a clear trend towards less end-organ CMV disease in patients receiving DP (18.2% EP vs 5% DP; p = 0.09) and DP was the only protective factor in the multivariate analysis (HR: 0.26; CI: 0.05-1.2; p = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: A 14-day delay in CMV prophylaxis in D+/R- SOT recipients is safe and may reduce the incidence of late CMV end-organ disease although correlation of this effect with CMI responses was not complete.